Time Fixers: Nicktoons of the Future

Episode 17: Future Tensed

Plot: The time has come for the Nicktoons to travel through time to help Maxwell save the future and his father. However, the Future Eustace has a sinister plan in his enhanced brain and it's gonna take the effort of both Nicktoon groups, the adults, and an unlikely ally to protect the present and ensure a bright future.

Part 6

A pair of blue eyes flutters open. He yawns as if coming from a long nap. He sits up from his bed, rubs his eyes and glanced at his clock. He gasped, "Oh crud! I'm late for school!" He quickly tidied his bed, brushes his teeth, dresses up in an orange shirt and brown shorts, and dashes downstairs. He is heading for the door when...

"MAXWELL ALBERT NEUTRON!"

He winces when he hears the voice and turns to see none other than his mother, Cindy, who looks at him angrily.

"Are you mad at me for running down the stairs?" Maxwell asked sheepishly.

"No," Cindy scorned until she smiled, "Because you forgot to give Mommy a goodbye kiss."

Maxwell chuckles sheepishly and responds, "I guess I did." He runs up to his mother as she kneels down and hugs her. He kisses her on the cheek before running towards the front door. "See ya later."

"Aren't you forgetting someone else?" A familiar voice asked. Maxwell turns to see Jimmy Neutron, alive and well.

"Dad," Maxwell whispered, somewhat stunned. He didn't know why, but seeing Jimmy made him run over to him, giving his father the biggest hug ever.

Jimmy returned his hug as he lightheartedly asked, "You okay, Max? You look like you've seen a ghost...or some other non-existent creature."

Maxwell chuckled and responded, "I... I don't know really. But somehow it felt like... I would never see you again..." he noticed tears coming down his eyes and wiped them off in embarrassment.

Jimmy humored him a bit by chuckling, but gently assured him, "Oh, Max, don't be absurd. I know that being a man of science occupies most of my time, but nothing is of more value to me than you."

Maxwell smiled, feeling a lot better. Until Cindy interrupted, "Okay, boys, I know the sentiments are nice, but you're gonna be late for school, Max."

Jimmy grabbed Maxwell's hand and stood up. "Why don't I drive you to school today, Max? How does that sound?"

Maxwell's eyes brighten with joy. "Wow, really? That'd be great!" The two head outside to Jimmy's hovercar while an ST patrol officer spots them across the street and stares at Maxwell with concern in his eyes.

Later that day, it was lunch time and all the students were on the school playground, playing activities and eating lunch, except Maxwell who was sitting at a table by himself, pondering about something. He looked across from him to see no one sitting with him, but for some reason felt as though he were usually joined by two people. He sighs and wonders out loud, "I must be going crazy."

"MAXIE!" He heard a high-pitched voice call out. Suddenly, something rockets towards him and tackles him to the ground. As he was cuddled, Maxwell frowned with annoyance to realize it was SpongeTron, who was in his police uniform shirt with camouflage pants, brown boots and gloves, and had both his eyes fully functioning.

SpongeTron did not notice Maxwell's discomfort, and was still hugging him as he cried with joy. "Oh, Max, thank goodness you're okay! When I saw both you and your dad up and moving, I thought I was dreaming, until I realized robots don't dream! Who knew the other Jimmy Neutron's plan would work?"

"SpongeTron, what are you talking about?" Maxwell asked angrily until he noticed the other students staring at them, wondering why he was being tackled by a police droid. Maxwell harshly whispered, "You're embarrassing me..."

Once SpongeTron realized what he was doing, he quickly let go of Maxwell and chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry, let's talk over there." He pushed Maxwell somewhere they could be alone. "Alright, folks, nothing to see here!" he called out to the crowd, "This is police business!"

Once they were alone, SpongeTron became concerned again as he held Maxwell's shoulders. "Are you feeling alright, Max?" he began examining every part of Maxwell's body, "Any lingering side effects from the neural device? Is your mind together in one piece? Did Strych put anything in it when he blasted you with his mind?"

Maxwell brushed his arms off of him and snapped, "SpongeTron, what the heck are you talking about?"

"You don't remember." SpongeTron stared in surprise until he realized what was going on. "Holy Neptune! That means Jimmy's plan did work! None of it ever happened." However, he suddenly realized that despite it all, he was still aware of it. "But then, how do I still..."

But Maxwell interrupted and asked, "Are you crazy? I think being on the force has made you go nuts. You deserve a medal."

SpongeTron's eyes widen when he realized, "Medal..." he checked under his shirt and pulled out Clockwork's medallion. He smiled and glanced at Maxwell, "Max, you don't remember, but a lot has happened and this will give you the answers you need." Maxwell tilted his head in confusion, but glanced at the medallion in wonder.

In another time and place, the residents of Retroville ran off in panic as the Syndicate wreaked havoc once more. Calamitous shot multiple lasers as the people ran, but one unlucky civilian tripped and fell. The man screams as a laser comes toward him until a yellow blur rescues him just as a laser blows a crater into the street.

"Phew!" SpongeTron said in relief and told the civilian. "You must be glad that didn't ruin your haircut."

Then, Darry's voice spoke through SpongeTron's communicator, "Nice move, SpongeTron."

"Thanks. We better finish those guys off."

"We only need two minutes." Darry said confidently.

Tammy then runs past the Syndicate with Tommy chasing, wielding his chain hammers and throwing one. "Hey, old geezers! It's time to play tag!" Tommy shouts before hitting the large robot with his hammer. "You're it!"

Plankton growled in anger, "Those blasted barnacle brats." The Syndicate move their robot to chase after the twins.

Darry was flying around two light posts that were across the street from each other and wrapping a thick wire around both of them. After he was finished, he spoke into his Recaller again, "Tammy and Tommy are almost here. The rest is up to you, ST."

"On it!" SpongeTron responded as he puts the male civilian to safety and zoomed toward the Syndicate.

Tommy and Tammy ran towards the trap and disappear in a POOF! The Syndicate's robot ran towards them only to find the twins missing. "Where did they go off to?" Professor Calamitous wondered.

"When we find them, I'm gonna give them both an F." Mr. Crocker said. They moved the robot forward when they get tangled in the wires between the two posts.

Plankton yells in shock, "Hey, what's going on?" While they try to get out of the wires, SpongeTron arrives, activates his Robo-Chargers, and zaps the wires. Electricity conducts through the wires and electrocutes the Syndicate, disabling their robot suit.

SpongeTron lands on the ground as the Nicktoons meet each other. "Great job, team." Darry congratulated, "Who says you can't recycle your plans?"

"Compared to how busy we've been lately, this is practically a break." Tommy mentioned, "The Cadets became Nicktoons, we went to Tech Con, SpongeTron became a detective, Tammy and I got abducted by clones of our dad, Freakshow tried to steal our shadows, SpongeCog came back with a killer giant robot, Darry finally dated Francesca, and we got trapped in an online game. Need I go on?"

On the ground, a bug scurried past their feet unnoticed. SpongeTron laughs at Tommy's list and responds, "Well, at least we haven't been bored. I have to pick up some science equipment for Jimmy from the Creator's wife. Wanna come?"

"Can't." Darry responded, "I have to send out an email to my aunt." He grinned eagerly and whispered, "I figured I'd shadow her at work in case I wanna get into the psychiatric business."

"Not to worry." Tammy assured. "We'll all meet up at HQ in an hour to check if Jimmy has anymore missions."

Suddenly, the door of the robot shot open and the Syndicate crawl out. Despite their injuries, they stood up, unwilling to give up. Professor Calamitous stated, "This is not over yet, children."

The Nicktoons were posed to fight, when suddenly the large robot suit reactivated. Shocked to see the robot running by itself and intimidating, the Syndicate run away, leaving the Nicktoons to fight it.

Annoyed at having his plans delayed, Darry shouts, "Forget this." He activates his Ghost Rage and flies up at the robot, punching it with his enhanced strength, knocking it away into a large tree until it's broken and dented. He flies back down to his friends and proudly says, "Two in under two minutes." They all laugh as they walk away, unaware that from across the street; they were being watched by a familiar looking short figure in a blue jacket and hood covering his face.

An hour later, Darry was in his room, typing on his computer. After finishing his work, he stood up and began heading downstairs. "Mom! Dad!" he called out, "I'm heading to HQ!"

When he passes the living room, he sees Yuki sitting at the coffee table across from Kida and is using her crystal ball. "I see...a strange future."

Kida became excited and curious. "Oooh, is it good or bad?"

"I can't tell." Yuki replied as she stared intently at her crystal ball. "But it may actually be a past life. You took out an evil scientist who tried to enslave the world by stealing everyone's brains."

Raising an eyebrow in confusion, Kida replied, "That sounds like a weird thing for me to do in the past, but forget it. What does my fortune say about love?" She spots Darry and gives a flirty wave to him.

Darry looked uncomfortable and quickly began to leave the house. "Better leave before she predicts who I marry."

In Bikini Bottom, SpongeTron was at the Krusty Krab, picking up a large box from Sandy that he planned to deliver to Jimmy Neutron. During lunch hour, Sandy gives the robot a cardboard box with supplies inside as she says, "Here ya go. All the gear Neutron requested."

As SpongeTron takes the box, he is also handed a Krusty Krab take-out bag. "And here's a fresh Krabby patty in case he gets hungry." SpongeBob cheerfully added, "Made by his favorite fry cook.

A third arm comes out of his hat to salute. "Thank you, Creator and wife." He walks out of the restaurant and sees Crash, Twitchy, and Junior hauling a large catapult.

"Come on, bros." Crash urged. "It'll be here any minute."

With curiosity and concern, SpongeTron asked, "What are you guys doing?"

Crash answered, "Oh, it's for my latest stunt. Every afternoon, the news chopper flies over the Krusty Krab. I had a dream last night where you and your friends jumped out of a helicopter and it just inspired me to try it myself."

SpongeTron was surprised he would think this. "But Crash, we never..."

"That's why as soon as the helicopter comes by, I'm gonna catapult myself inside, and then I'm gonna jump out."

"Crash, that doesn't sound..."

But the sound of a helicopter is heard as it flies over the Krusty Krab, and Crash quickly hops in the catapult. "Launch me, Twitch." He ordered.

Junior trembles as he covers his eyes. "I can't watch."

Twitchy laughs excitedly as he pulls the lever, launching Crash into the air. He flies above the Krusty Krab towards the helicopter, but Crash ends missing the chopper and flies far away.

Having seen the whole thing from the front door, SpongeBob, with Buster standing behind him, stares in shock until he marches outside, angry at his son for putting himself in danger with another one of his stunts. "CRASH!" SpongeBob yells out to him in fury while SpongeTron awkwardly backs away from the situation to complete his mission.

Meanwhile in Retroville, a portal opened up near Nicktoon HQ, and Tammy and Tommy emerged from it along with a purple puppy. "I wonder if Darry and SpongeTron are here yet." Tammy asked her brother.

Before Tommy can answer, a small figure in a blue jacket with a hood covering his face bumped into him, dropping something on the ground. "Watch it!" He snapped at Tommy before going on his way.

"You watch it!" Tommy snapped back, but when he turned, the person was already gone.

"How rude." Tammy agreed, placing her hands on her hips.

"Poof." The purple puppy says, spying the object that was dropped, which was a small box wrapped in brown packing paper.

Tammy picked it up and said, "Hey, I think he dropped this."

Tommy took the package and examined it. "That's weird. It doesn't have a name or an address."

"What have you got there?" They turn to see Darry, having arrived with SpongeTron.

Tammy explained, "This weird guy bumped into us and dropped this. But we can't figure out who it belongs to or how to return it."

Darry suddenly snatches it and begins ripping the package open. "Only one way to find out then."

"Darry, you shouldn't..." Before SpongeTron can warn Darry how rude it is to open someone else's package, Darry already opened the box and stared in surprise. He reached inside and pulled out a medallion with the words "CW" on it. Holding it by the tassel, Darry and the rest of the Nicktoons immediately recognized it.

"That's Clockwork's medallion." Tammy pointed out.

"What's it doing here?" Tommy added.

"I don't know." Darry said as he grasped the medal. "But something tells me-" but as soon as he did, his eyes widen as forgotten memories flash before him.

Dropping the medallion in shock, Darry backed up a few feet as his friends looked concern. "Darry, are you okay?" SpongeTron asked, "What happened?"

"I... I..." Darry stammered in shock. "... I saw the future, and Eustace...and Max."

"Our future?" Tammy questioned.

"The billionaire?" Tommy questioned as well, wondering if he was talking about Eustace Strych, who they briefly met at Tech Con.

"The baby?" SpongeTron asked, wondering why Darry would be talking about the Neutron baby.

"No, I mean..." Darry's eyes widen after realization set in. "Wait. You guys don't remember? Just like...I didn't remember."

"What are you talking about?" Tommy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you feeling alright?" Tammy asked as well, looking concerned.

Darry looked at the medallion in his hand and began to understand what was happening. Smiling, he looked at his friends and held the medallion out. "Just place your hands on this and I'll explain everything." Tammy, Tommy, and SpongeTron look at each other in uncertainty, wondering what would happen when they touch Clockwork's Time Medallion.

Meanwhile, inside HQ, Jimmy was sitting at his desk, watching a Livestream on his laptop of a press conference by Eustace Strych. "I am pleased to announce the newest piece of technology developed by Strych Enterprises." He held up a small electronic node. "Behold, a hands free texting device. When you don't have time to type out a text message, just place this on your right temple, and all you have to do is think of the message and send it to whoever you want."

As he demonstrates the device, Jimmy suddenly hears his phone vibrate and he looks at the screen to see a text message from Eustace reading, "A free texting device in exchange for the Nicktoons?" Jimmy just rolled his eyes and shut off the phone before closing the laptop.

Before he could continue his own work, he was suddenly stopped by the Nicktoons screaming his name, "JIMMY!" And the four surround him, talking simultaneously.

But with all four shouting over each other, Jimmy could not understand them. "Hey, hey, one at a time! SILENCE!" When he finally got their attention, he asked, "Now what is this about?"

Tommy excitedly explained, "Neutron, your plan worked. We saved the future!"

Tammy continued, "We didn't remember at first, which means none of the stuff that happened ever happened, so we stopped the Future Eustace Strych and that means Maxwell's safe in the future."

"I was worried at first," SpongeTron admitted. "But now that I remember everything and see everyone safe and happy, I feel much better."

But Jimmy was more confused than ever. "What in the name of Albert Einstein are you talking about?"

"Oh, right." Darry sheepishly remembered. "Since the timeline changed, everyone forgot what happened, including you."

Tammy held the time medallion towards him. "Here, Commander. Touch this and you'll remember everything."

Jimmy stared in surprise by the medallion. "What? Where did you get this?" He took the medallion and his eyes widen as memories of his past adventures flash before his eyes.

He drops the medallion and was in so much shock that he fell out of his chair. The Nicktoons surround him in concern, trying to help him back up. "Commander, are you okay?" SpongeTron asked.

Jimmy held his forehead and stated with shock. "I remember everything now. The future, the battle with Eustace," he took a pause as he recalled his most important memory, "Maxwell."

Tammy recalled, "He should be safe and sound in the future, right?"

Darry also pointed out, "But after Jimmy destroyed the schematic, none of that stuff should've happened. So how is it we remember it now?"

Jimmy stared at the medallion and pondered over it, concluding, "It has something to do with Clockwork's medallion. It's given us back our memories from the timeline we altered."

"I remember now when that last happened." Tammy mentioned, "It was the medallion that Maxwell had."

Hearing this, everybody stared at each other, wondering how this medallion came into their possession. "You think Maxwell is here in the present right now?" Tommy asked.

"Wait a minute." SpongeTron intervened, "How is it that Maxwell would be here? His memories should've been erased when the future changed."

Before they can ponder over this some more, an alarm went off and Jimmy silenced it by opening his laptop and typing into security. "Vox says there's an intruder in the room containing my Portal Machine." Jimmy announces, "But how could they have gotten in?"

Darry narrows his eyes and massages his knuckles. "We'll just show them the way out."

They quickly run to the lab containing the Portal Machine, but as soon as they open the door and run in, they stop in alarm to see the intruder is actually a very familiar figure in a blue hoodie. His back is turned to them as he stares at the deactivated Portal Machine.

Tammy took a step forward and cautiously asked, "Are you really..."

Without a word, he turned around and removed his hood, revealing himself to be Maxwell. Jimmy's eyes widen in shock, but the Nicktoons all smile with joy to see their teammate again. "MAX!" They all cry with joy. Maxwell smiled and ran towards them. Tammy spread her arms apart so she can hug him, but Maxwell just ran right past her and stopped in front of Darry Fenton, kicking him hard in the shin.

"Ouch!" Darry cried in pain, holding his right knee. "What was that for?" He angrily asked.

Maxwell frowned in anger as he answered, "That's for trying to hurt Nano!"

"What are you talking about?" An angry Darry asked while Nano scurried below their feet and climbed into SpongeTron.

Nano attaches itself to SpongeTron and makes him speak in monotone, "Apologies, Darrel Fenton. I had earlier taken control of the professor's robot to bring you to Maxwell, but it would seem you deemed me a threat and destroyed my robot casing."

Nano left SpongeTron and went back onto Maxwell's shoulder as the latter glared at Darry again until a shocked Jimmy asked, "But I don't understand! How are you here? After you..." He could not bear to recount that memory, but continued, "We changed the future. You shouldn't even remember ever meeting us."

"You did change the future." Maxwell explained. "I didn't even remember any of it. But SpongeTron does. He still had the Time Medallion that he used to come here, and he used it to bring back my memories of the old time period and I used it to bring back your memories."

Darry looked at the Time Medallion in his hand and wondered, "But if the future is safe, why'd you come back here?"

Maxwell smiled warmly and answered, "Because I wanted to give each of you a goodbye." He stepped closer to Darry, "You're a total klutz, a big baby, not to mention really REALLY annoying..."

"Gee, I'm glad I'm here to remember all this and be reminded of it..." a frowning Darry said sarcastically, crossing his arms.

"But you're a good leader and have a good heart," Maxwell finished, "And I know you'll be just as great as the hero I know from my timeline. Thank you and farewell... Darry Phantom."

Darry was stunned, touched by Maxwell's words, especially when he finally spoke his true name. Tommy noticed Darry's expression, "Dude, are you crying?"

"What? No!" Darry bitterly responded as he wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "I'm just so glad to be rid of that little jerk."

Knowing his true feelings, SpongeTron gave him a comforting pat on the back, until Maxwell walked up to him. The robot holds Maxwell's shoulders and assures him, "Max, I've seen lots of scary changes in the future, but I know for sure that you're the change I'm really looking forward to. But until that change comes, I'm really..." He can no longer contain his feelings and bursts into tears, "I'm really gonna miss you!" He sobs while hugging Maxwell.

Maxwell just smiles and returns his hug. "Don't worry, SpongeTron, and thanks. If it hadn't been for you, I never would've come here, joined the Nicktoons, and saved my dad." SpongeTron smiles with joy as tears still flow down his face. Maxwell then goes over to his former housemates, Tammy, Tommy, and Poof.

Tommy tries to fight back tears as he pleads to Maxwell, "Do you really have to go? You can stay with us a little longer. We can reintroduce you to Dad and everyone else. We can all still be Nicktoons together."

Tears stream down Tammy's cheeks as she says, "Going on missions won't be the same without you."

With a shy smile, Maxwell replies, "Thanks, but I can't stay. I promised SpongeTron and Clockwork that I would come right back. Besides, I think I've been away from home long enough."

Finally, Tommy could no longer hold it in and hugs Maxwell as tears stream down his face. "Goodbye Max."

Poof also hugs Maxwell while crying, "Maxie bye-bye."

Maxwell wraps his arms around both of them and says, "Goodbye, you guys."

Tammy's lips quivers as she cries until she finally lunges at Maxwell and lands in his arms, pushing her brother and goduncle aside. As Maxwell hugs her, Tammy cried, "Goodbye Max! We won't forget about you again." Then suddenly, she kisses Maxwell on the lips, much to his surprise. After she finally lets him go, they both stare at each other in shock by what happened. Blushing, Tammy looks away and sheepishly says, "Sorry."

Maxwell's face also turns red, but he smiles while saying, "No problem."

After saying goodbye to all his friends, he didn't expect Jimmy to approach him next. He kneeled down to Maxwell's height and began, "Maxwell, let me start by saying how sorry I am." Maxwell was puzzled by what he meant, but Jimmy continued, "I know I wasn't much of a father to you while you were here, especially during the times when you needed me the most. So I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me and..." He was cut off by Maxwell leaping into his arms and giving him a big hug.

Jimmy stared down at him in surprise, having expected his future son to be furious at him, but Maxwell continued hugging him and warmly said, "Thanks for everything. I love you, Dad." A heartwarming smile appeared on Jimmy's face and he wraps his arms around Maxwell, hugging him tightly.

After they finally let go, Maxwell turned to the Nicktoons, who were still teary eyed. "Take care of yourself, Max." Darry advised. "And if you ever need help again, just give us a call."

"We'll be here." Tommy added, "And in the future."

"I'll make sure to look after the baby you until you're grown up." SpongeTron assured while sobbing.

"Just..." Tammy said as she cried as well. "... Don't forget all the fun times we had."

Maxwell smiled and replied, "Are you kidding? It'll take more than time altering to make me forget about you guys." He walks over to them and says with enthusiasm, "Scottie, if I may..." He clears his throat and says, "Nicktoons..." They all suddenly huddle together in a group hug, "Goodbye."

"Time out!"

Suddenly, time froze and a portal opened with Clockwork and Future SpongeTron emerging. Maxwell backs away from his friends, noticing they were all frozen in time, save for him wearing the medallion. "Maxwell..." Clockwork said, changing into an old man. "Did you get what you wanted?"

Maxwell looked at his frozen friends one last time and confidently answered, "Yes. I did."

While turning into a child, Clockwork smiles proudly at him. Future SpongeTron then puts his arm around Maxwell and urges, "Great. Now let's go home. I think I've had enough time travel for one decade."

As they walk through the portal, Maxwell looks at Nano sitting on his shoulder and smiles slyly as he says, "You know, I just got inspired for a new invention: a neural intelligence device."

However, Future SpongeTron did not look amused by the joke and replied, "We're not going through that again." After the two disappear into the portal leading to their own time period, Clockwork hits the button on his staff and disappears, making time move forward again.

The Nicktoons then pull apart from each other when they realize Maxwell was gone. Jimmy then sadly declares, "That's it. He's back home now."

There was a sad awkward silence until it was broken by Cindy, "Guys?" She asked, entering the room with Baby Max, looking concerned by their expressions. "What's wrong? Why do you all look sad?"

"We were just..." Tammy wondered what to say next, "...Remembering an old friend."

Cindy was concerned about the Nicktoons, but Jimmy most of all when he walks up to her. "Sweetie?" She asked him.

Jimmy glanced at Cindy, and then at Baby Max. He sighs, smiling as he gave his wife and son a hug. "Everything...is gonna be okay." He assured her and gives Cindy a passionate kiss.

Max giggles at his loving parents. Then, Darry puts his arms around his friends. "We'll see him again." He assured them, "Maybe sooner than we think."

The moment was interrupted when the Cadets storm in. "Guys," Yuki alarms them. "The Syndicate revamped their battle robot and are tearing apart Retroville with it!"

With his right arm in a sling and his left leg in a cast as he held a crutch, Crash adds, "We're gonna teach those varmints what for!"

"You guys wanna team up with us?" Kida asked the Nicktoons.

The four brighten up as Darry changes into ghost form and answers, "Yeah, we'd like that," he turns to his friends to confirm, "Wouldn't we?"

They all nod in agreement and join their fellow Nicktoons as the two groups head out on their mission. The two leaders, Darry Phantom and Yuki Fenton both shout, "Nicktoons...GO!"

The End

And that's the final episode of the series. Animyx and I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as we enjoyed writing it. We thank you for all who have been with us from the beginning and all who have stayed until the end. We'd like to hear your thoughts on the season and the whole series in general. Check out my deviantart for extras and my profile for more stories.